Derek O'Connor: 'There's no doubt he's my best chance of the week'
Derek O’Connor has put forward Vanillier as his best chance of landing a fifth Cheltenham Festival victory but says last season’s Albert Bartlett winner will need to improve on this season’s form to win the National Hunt Chase.
The amateur rider, who has won the National Hunt Chase on Chicago Grey and Minella Rocco, as well as the Kim Muir on Any Second Now and the Foxhunter on Zemsky, schooled Gavin Cromwell’s chaser last week and reported everything to be on track for a bold showing
Vanillier produced a devastating performance to win the Albert Bartlett by 11 lengths a year ago and O'Connor is hoping the grey can find similar improvement on his return to the Cotswolds.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
inNews
- Racing Post Members' Club: £10 a month for three months
- A second Troy for Coolmore as faith in champions is justified at Epsom
- Epsom updates: 'Punters have latched on' - Ylang Ylang now red-hot favourite to give Aidan O'Brien more Oaks glory
- ‘Lovely’ Lady joins powerful Bowe team after topping Tattersalls Ireland at €45,000
- The Racing Post is now on WhatsApp - and here's how you can follow our channel
- Racing Post Members' Club: £10 a month for three months
- A second Troy for Coolmore as faith in champions is justified at Epsom
- Epsom updates: 'Punters have latched on' - Ylang Ylang now red-hot favourite to give Aidan O'Brien more Oaks glory
- ‘Lovely’ Lady joins powerful Bowe team after topping Tattersalls Ireland at €45,000
- The Racing Post is now on WhatsApp - and here's how you can follow our channel